(a) An accumulation of two or more inches of snow on Village streets is generally cause for the Village Street Department to begin snow plowing operations to clear streets to ensure safe travel by motorists. Motor vehicles parked on public streets present a hazard and difficulty to snowplow operators and other vehicles using these streets. Therefore, it shall be unlawful for the owner/operator of any motor vehicle to park or to allow to remain parked such vehicle on certain Village streets as named in the Traffic Control Map when two or more inches of snow have fallen and plowing operations have commenced.
(1) In the event that vehicles remain parked on restricted streets and public ways after the accumulation of two or more inches of snow and plowing operations have commenced, the Village Police Department may ticket such vehicles for violation of this Ordinance. Whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall be guilty of a parking violation and shall be issued a parking ticket in accordance with Section 351.16 of the Codified Ordinances of the Village of Mount Gilead and such vehicles may be removed at the expense of the owner.
(2) The Mayor or Village Administrator shall determine the extent of snow and/or ice accumulation and so advise the Village Services Coordinator when the accumulation has reached the depth of two (2) inches or more.
(3) The Village Administrator shall cause the proper and adequate signs to be placed giving notice of such snow and ice removal routes upon the public streets and public ways as set forth in the Traffic Control Map. Such signs shall be considered permanently installed.
(b) When severe winter weather conditions result in the accumulation of several inches of snow, or significant snowfall combined with high winds which result in blowing and drifting snow, or other severe winter weather conditions which result in a deterioration in driving conditions, and it becomes necessary for the Village to take action to clear Village streets of snow in order to provide for safe travel by the public, the Mayor or the Administrator may declare that a Snow Emergency exists in the Village.
(1) When the Mayor or Administrator has declared that a Snow Emergency exists, it is important that the Village Street Department clear all public streets of accumulation of snow to allow for necessary travel and access by emergency vehicles. To allow snow removal operations to proceed as efficiently and safely as possible, it is necessary to remove all vehicles parked on the Village streets or roads so that these streets may be cleared curb to curb. Therefore, when a Snow Emergency has been declared it shall be unlawful for the owner/operator of any motor vehicle to park or permit to remain parked any vehicle on any street within this Village.
(2) In the event that vehicles remain on the streets after the declaration of a Snow Emergency, creating a hazard and an obstacle for snow removal operations, the Police Department may arrange for the removal and storage of such motor vehicles, at the expense of the owner.
(c) The Village Services Coordinator shall be responsible for removal of snow and/or ice from such public streets and public ways.
(Ord. 1458. Passed 12-3-01.)